Montreal Canadiens Keep Michael Pezzetta On One-Way Contract

The Montreal Canadiens made a couple of moves today as the deadline for qualifying restricted free agents neared. Teams had until 5:00 PM EST to either extend a qualifying offer to their RFAs or allow them to become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday.

The Canadiens would eventually decide to cut loose three of their players, as Kale Clague, Rem Pitlick and Josh Brook were not given qualifying offers. The rest of their RFAs were extended contracts for next season, but two of them agreed to terms on new deals already.

First, Corey Schueneman signed a one year contract for the 2022-23 season. He is set to earn $750,000 at the NHL level next season, and will get $350,000 if he is in the AHL.

Later, it was Michael Pezzetta who signed a one year contract with the team. His deal is a one-way contract, meaning he is going to earn $750,000 no matter where he plays next season. That is a nice agreement for a player who looked like a career minor leaguer not long ago.

Pezzetta was a 6th round pick of the Canadiens in 2016, but had just 19 points in his first 107 career AHL games with the Laval Rocket.

However, he was the standout performer at the Canadiens 2021 training camp and put himself on the radar for a call up to the big leagues with strong performances in exhibition games. He started last season with the Rocket once again, but was quickly called up to make his NHL debut after a slew of injuries hit the Habs.

Pezzetta, a 6’1″ and 216 pound left winger who doesn’t back down from a scrap with anyone scored 11 points and 81 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Canadiens, earning a permanent role last season.

Let’s hope the 26 year old can continue to provide value for the Canadiens throughout next season as a scrappy winger on the fourth line.

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